Perry wrote: > If we make the error of thinking that this text > applies, in this instance and usage, to other > Christians than the 11, even though elsewhere > some of these signs may be discussed relative > to other Christians, then we risk making the > same error anytime Jesus talks makes a statement, > thinking that his words apply equally to all. > I think understanding this aspect of the Bible > is very important and very frequently abused.
I agree with you that this poses a potential problem, but my observations of abuse tend to see the opposite, especially among theologians. They so isolate Scriptures to the people spoken to and to the culture in which they lived that very little of the Scriptures are viewed as applicable to them. For example, many of the passages concerning the work of the Holy Spirit were spoken to the eleven disciples in the upper room at the end of the last supper. Some therefore think they do not apply to us today. I've even heard some say that the Holy Spirit is found only in the Bible. Thankfully, Peter made it clear that the promise was for as many as would believe in Acts 2:39. I find God and Jesus Christ to be very fair and impartial. Very little of what he promises to one person does not apply to another who meets the same conditions. For example, Paul was not of the twelve, nor had he ever had any personal experience with Jesus Christ's ministry, yet he seems to have experienced much of the same promises that the twelve did. His name won't be in the foundations of the New Jerusalem as one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, but most of civilization will remember him anyway. Perry wrote: > By the way, is there any place else in scritpure where > Christians (other than the 11 in Mark vv16-20) are > told they can be bitten by poisonous snakes and not > be harmed? If not, then I woulkd say this applies to > the 11 only...not all Christians. Well, in Luke 10:19, Jesus spoke something similar to the seventy that he had ordained to preach the gospel. It also is interesting that the only example of this happening literally would be with Paul, who was not one of the eleven. We have no direct reference that the eleven ever experienced this although we should perhaps assume that they did. If we assume such for them, however, then we might also assume the same for other believers. One might also consider that "serpents" refers to hypocrite theologians and religious leaders (see Mat. 23:33). Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
